This past Shabbat, Havayah teens had the opportunity to explore their personal connections to Judaism and their Jewish identities through art, photography, superheroes and theatre. Shabbaton participants registered to be in one of four tracks, which spent concentrated time focusing on our core curricular themes through that particular lens in addition to spending time with the broader Havayah community.

Learn about the many connections that exist between our favorite superheroes and Jewish history, values, stories and tradition. Discover the hero within you as we connect our personal identities, stories and Jewish values to our superpowers and develop a new league of superheroes. After all, it's not just who you are - but what you do that defines you...and, with great power, comes great responsibility!

With an understanding of the present and eye to the future, we learned about our past, specifically focusing on the influences that our ancestors had on the comic book industry. With our powers combined, our team took a look at our personal values, stories, experiences and shared what our visions of a superhero may look like that represents the typical "Jew Man" in Havayah and Temple Beth Elohim.

"After seeing the horrific realities of the world (death, destruction, starvation, global warming), Gold-Man set off to right these wrongs, restoring balance to the world. With a moral compass guiding his actions, Gold-Man uses his powers to change the mind sets of the people. His father once told him, "with great power, comes great influence. Change the world for the better, and you will become a hero to all." As he exacts justice, Gold-Man deals with the grey area of morality, ensuring that he doesn't take away free will from the people."

Explore the beautiful nature surrounding the Warren Conference Center through the lens of landscape painting. Learn to use watercolor and acrylic paint, and work towards creating a landscape painting exhibit that will be on display for several weeks at TBE. No prior art experience necessary. Bring warm layers that can get messy - we will be outside throughout much of the Shabbaton!

Painting can be a lens through which to view the world. While creating, you are forced to squint, stare, and explore the world in a new way. Judaism also provides ways to slow down, reflect, and see the holy in every day moments. Jews have traditionally recited blessings in order to elevate everyday actions such as waking up, eating, or washing hands.

Roxie Zalkind: Crazy Sky

When I was painting this, I was focusing mostly on the sky, and tiny bit of the top of the trees. The colors in the sky were able to reflect how random nature can seem. Its only when you look closely it all fits together like one gigantic puzzle.

Sophie Fennell: Light and Dark

I was inspired to paint this landscape because of the contrast between light and dark. Examples of this in the painting are the dark brown tree against the green grass and light sky, the brown trees in the background against the colorful sky and grass, and the juncture of the sunlit grass and the grass in the shadows.

Josh Lees: Twigs

I was inspired to paint these tree branches and twigs by “painter’s block.” Looking up at the sky and searching for something to paint resulted in this painting. I like this picture particularly because it can be look at from multiple different angles.

Hannah Snyder: Tree and Sun

When I first started painting I had trouble getting the colors right and making things sized properly. I realized that I needed to switch locations and choose something simpler that I could just focus on. I ended up choosing just a tree and the sun. Sometimes you need to pick the simpler thing because less can be more.

Isabel Silverston: In Focus

When I first stepped outside, there was so much to see but my eyes were drawn to the lampposts. There was something very beautiful about an old fashioned lamppost against a fall scene. I knew that if I focused on too many details, I wouldn’t come out with a completed piece of work so I decided to contrast a focused object against a blurred background. Blurring the background was surprisingly liberating and I tried to reflect the colors I saw and not the objects I saw.

Snapshots: Creating Your Spiritual Filter in the World Around YouMentor: Rabbi Josh Franklin

Do you love photography, or are you constantly posting to Instagram? Come focus your camera through a spiritual and Jewish lens. We will be taking photographs that are inspired by Jewish texts and prayers. We will showcase our artwork through a visual t'filah experience together!